Programs and Publications
K-State Research and Extension Adult Development and Aging programming enriches the lives of Kansans and their families by addressing health and wellness needs unique to older adults or those that influence an individual's ability to age well. Our current research-based community education endeavors specifically address the challenges commonly associated with aging, preparing for your future health care, recognizing the signs of Alzheimer's disease, and more. To learn more about the programs we offer, click on the links below.
Advance Health Care Planning in Kansas
Do you worry about the medical care you would receive if you became ill and were unable to speak for yourself? By stating your health care preferences in writing before a health crisis occurs, you can ensure that you will receive the type or degree of care that you want. Advance Health Care Planning in Kansas introduces the process and documents involved in preparing for your future medical care, should you become unable to speak for yourself.
Alzheimer's 101
Alzheimer's disease is commonly referred to as the "biggest health crisis facing the world today", partly because everyone with a brain is ultimately at risk. Alzheimer's 101 introduces Alzheimer's disease, its warning signs, the benefits of early detection and diagnosis, and steps to bettering your own brain health.
Assistive Technology Basics
Sometimes everyday tasks can become difficult or impossible. Assistive technology tools help to make life easier, giving you the freedom to accomplish these tasks without assistance.Many tools can be found in stores in your local community, or through online resources. Assistive Technology Basics focuses on devices you can use to accomplish everyday tasks, such as attending to personal care, preparing meals, completing basic household chores and engaging in recreational activity.
Building a Culture of Health: Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change
Policy, systems, and environmental change, or PSE, is a new way of thinking about how to effectively improve health in a community. While education can influence individual behavior choices, addressing environmental barriers and community conditions is a crucial aspect of supporting and encouraging healthy behavior change in communities.
Elder Abuse and Neglect: What You Should Know
No one is immune to elder abuse — it can happen to anyone, at any time, and anywhere. Often a silent problem, elder abuse can rob older adults of their dignity and security and leave them feeling fearful, depressed, and alone. Elder Abuse and Neglect: What You Should Know will guide you through the types, warning signs, risks, and prevention of elder abuse and the reporting laws in Kansas.
Gray for a Day
Gray for a Day aims to educate participants on age-related sensory and functional challenges some adults might face through various simulations that reflect daily routines, simple tasks, and leisure or social activities.
Keys to Embracing Aging
Keys to Embracing Aging is an interactive program that highlights 12 keys aimed at helping you to grow old gracefully, successfully, and with increased longevity.
A Matter of Balance
A Matter of Balance is a nationwide, evidence-based program specifically designed to reduce the fear of falling and improve activity levels among community-dwelling older adults. The program enables participants to reduce the fear of falling by learning to view falls as controllable, setting goals for increasing activity levels, making small changes to reduce fall risks at home, and exercise to increase strength and balance.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers
This is a nationally-based program that provides individuals with tips, tools, and strategies to handle the challenges and opportunities associated with caregiving.
Simple Home Modification
Participants will learn methods to age in place, assess and modify homes for safety, independence and economy for older or disabled people, and reduce the need for assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
So Now What? Tips for Managing Life after Retirement
Tips for Managing Life After Retirement introduces four key themes that have emerged from research on living a successful, healthy retirement: foundational relationships, healthy living, achieving balance, and planning for the future.
Who Gets Grandma's Yellow Pie Plate?
Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate? provides research-informed practical strategies to protect your family relationships when passing on personal possessions. Few families escape making decisions about passing on personal possessions. Paring down and deciding if and how to transfer personal possessions is inevitable when a family member downsizes, declutters, moves or dies. While it may seem simple, decisions about personal property can be challenging and lead to serious family conflicts. Who Gets Grandma's Yellow Pit Plate helps to navigate these challenges and next steps.
